Nigeria alerts Interpol after Kogi jailbreak

Nigerian authorities have alerted Interpol after over 240 inmates escaped from the Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi, North Central Nigeria, following an attack by gunmen that claimed the lives of two security officials. This incident adds to the growing list of security breaches across Nigeria in recent weeks, raising concerns about the country's ability to tackle the rising tide of banditry, kidnappings, and other criminal activities. To shed light on the challenges facing Nigerian authorities, CNBC Africa hosted Dennis Amachree, CEO of Zoomlens Security Solutions, and Kabir Adamu, MD of Beacon Consulting for a discussion on the pressing security issues in the country. Kabir Adamu emphasized the pervasive security challenges in Nigeria, noting that the country ranks high in global risk assessments due to various threat factors such as banditry, kidnappings, and now, jailbreaks. He pointed out that despite the longstanding nature of these threats, effective solutions have not been implemented to contain them, hindering economic growth and posing risks to individuals and businesses operating in the country. Adamu highlighted the recurring history of jailbreaks in Kogi State, emphasizing the need for a strategic and systematic approach to address security vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents. Dennis Amachree echoed Adamu's concerns, emphasizing the critical need to strengthen security infrastructure and measures to prevent the breach of facilities like correctional centers. He highlighted previous incidents in Nigeria, including the NDA attack and the Imo State correctional facility breach, underscoring the urgent need for proactive security strategies to safeguard against such threats. Amachree called for a more systematic and targeted approach to security challenges, pointing out the shortcomings in the current reactive responses to security incidents. The discussion also touched on the importance of intelligence sharing and communication in enhancing security operations. Adamu underscored the significance of engaging the public and garnering their support in security initiatives, citing positive outcomes from government efforts to involve local communities in addressing security issues. He emphasized the need for a layered security approach supported by technology and strategic planning to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance threat mitigation across various locations in Nigeria. On the impact of security concerns on investor sentiment, Amachree highlighted the serious implications for businesses, particularly international oil companies and manufacturing firms. He noted that security threats, including kidnapping, have led companies to invest heavily in risk mitigation measures, impacting supply chains and employee safety. Amachree emphasized that the perception of insecurity in Nigeria has deterred some investors, leading to potential divestment and hesitation in committing capital to the country. In conclusion, the escalating security challenges in Nigeria demand a coordinated and proactive response from authorities to address the root causes of insecurity and safeguard the population and businesses from threats. The discussion has underscored the need for strategic planning, infrastructure improvement, intelligence sharing, and community engagement to enhance security measures and combat the rising tide of criminal activities in the country.